Conclusion

Chapter 7 concludes the book with a focus on the findings from our analysis that suggest lessons for nongovernmental organization (NGO) activists, lawyers, and officials at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and within the wider Council of Europe institutions to draw upon in understanding how to facilitate justice for victims of gender discrimination in Russia and other Council of Europe states. In an era when many European and former-Soviet states appear entrenched in or are moving closer to authoritarian rule, the possibility for citizens to seek protection of their human rights from transnational institutions becomes increasingly important. We argue that although human rights protection and multilateralism in general are under threat from popular nationalist, xenophobic, and socially conservative forces in many countries, the recognition of women’s rights as being part and parcel of human rights must remain central to our understanding of meaningful citizenship, and that upholding the international treaties that offer such protections is crucial to the expansion and reinforcement of democracy and human rights.